Crossing the Line
Beginning in German-occupied Poland in February 1941 and ending in Soviet-occupied Poland in August 1945, Crossing the Line follows three young women—one Jewish, one German, one Polish—who, through decisions as different as the women themselves, find themselves in Krakow’s Jewish ghetto. Natalia arrives alone, separated from her parents and younger brother after being betrayed by her father’s Polish long-term friend. After being disowned by her parents, Elsa Baumann finds family and acceptance in the SS. Irena Droździkowska decides to continue working at the Under the Eagle Pharmacy located in the area the Germans declared the Jewish Ghetto. Each woman scrambles for survival as conditions in the ghetto turn from bad to worse.
Based on the historical events of the Krakow Ghetto, Shipman cleverly builds much of the story around the Under the Eagle Pharmacy, giving a believable space for all three characters to interact while shining a light on a lesser-known bright spot in the horror of the Holocaust. Irena and Tadeusz Pankiewicz, the man who owned the pharmacy, are historical. Crossing the Line is not an easy read, it is authentically harrowing. Shipman does not shy away from painting several characters unfavorably. Characters, who might otherwise be moral, do despicable things, forcing the reader to ask themselves: What would I risk to help strangers? How far would I go to save myself or my family? As for criticism, it is picky. There are a few lengthy conversations where more dialogue tags would have helped, and towards the story’s climax there are explanations of characters’ motivations that feel unbelievably long given the immediate and dire circumstances. Overall, however, this is a good addition to the Holocaust and WWII canon.
